10 Zen Habits To Get Things Done

But the point now is not in the name, but in the fact that when introducing this wonderful system, a person is faced with a tangible problem: in one moment he needs to rebuild and introduce a new business management system into his life. If you have already tried GTD, and it did not work or would like to try, but you are confused by the need to drastically reshape your daily routine, there is an alternative scheme — ZTD, Zen to Done.

ZTD author Leo Babauta suggests a smooth transition to a case management system. He identifies ten key habits that will help you achieve a harmonious daily life, and suggests implementing them gradually. The author himself advises to work out each habit for exactly a month, and then introduce the next one, but you and I understand that everyone has their own pace. And the implementation in 10 months can demotivate many. So we advise you to choose your own schedule.

But let’s first remember (or find out) what GTD is all about.

The Great and Terrible Getting Things Done.

One of the most widely replicated productivity systems. Who just did not run it in and adapt it. But this does not make it worse. Rather, the opposite is true. Numerous GTD variations ensure you can find yours. And, quite possibly, it will be exactly ZTD.

The main goal of GTD is to unload your head. The system provides an “inbox” folder where you drop all ideas, tasks, plans, notes, links, and everything else. Then the folder is sorted, and each task goes through three filters:

Clipping: “Do I need to do this at all?” etc.

Delegation: “Shouldn’t we entrust this to someone else?”

Action: “Can this be done in less than five minutes? Then I’m doing it now! “

And everything that passed through the three filters is already distributed among thematic folders. The system is quite simple and efficient.

Zen to Done variation.

Leo Babauta redefined GTD principles, focused more on focus, the emotional side of the issue, and how to smoothly transition to a productivity system. And here are his ten habits:

Gather.

The main principle also works here. The first thing you need to accustom yourself to is to write everything down. And do it not on napkins and checks, but in one place. That is, you need to start with the decision: where will I keep records in such a way as to maintain mobility?

One will choose the program on the phone, and the other — a lightweight notebook with a pen, which will always be at hand. The first option has an undeniable advantage: the chance that you leave home without your phone is much lower than the likelihood of you forgetting your notebook.

Sort.

The second habit, without which the system will immediately collapse — processing incoming. Leo recommends doing this once a day, but you can do it more often if necessary. People with a heavy workload or creative professionals definitely need to sort 2–3 times a day, otherwise, it will quickly turn into a dump.

It is the accumulation of to-dos in the list that often turns people away from the GTD system: as you think, how many unfulfilled tasks are languishing there, you don’t want to open the folder.

To plan.

When implementing GTD, it’s tempting to switch to heroic list-scraping and quick execution of the current tasks that you threw in your inbox. Leo reminds you that this shouldn’t override your planning. He advises to single out the three most important things every day and every week and be sure to do them, even bypassing the list.

Focus.

The most important habit in ZTD, without which the rest of the system will fall apart. Do one thing at a time and focus entirely on it. Do not be distracted even by entering ideas into the inbox. Take and do. Sounds simple, but you try

Systematize.

To spend a minimum of time and effort on sorting, you will need a habit of organizing your own notes. The system can be built according to hashtags or cards, as long as it is not too complicated.

ZTD aims to simplify the case management process as much as possible, not to create a complex scheme for you to spend time on instead of directly focusing on achieving goals.

Organize.

The excellent organization of “inboxes” is worth nothing if there is a mess and chaos further in your system. Everything should be in its place. There should be a folder or section for each area of ​​life and for each area of ​​work. If you cultivate this habit, you will never again feel the pressure of chaos over your schedule.

Look around.

The habit of stopping, reviewing work done, checking your goals, and measuring progress. It’s easy to get bogged down in your inbox and lose sight of your ultimate goal. Every week, every month, three months, and every year, you need to adjust your direction. The habit of evaluating the result and keeping the whole picture in front of your eyes guarantees successful advancement in your career and in life.

Simplify.

Simplify everything you can. If your inbox contains large tasks and tasks, break them down into the simplest small ones. Every action in your planner should be simple and doable. This is one of the most important Zen habits that Leo Babauta advises us to instill.

Live in mode.

Regularity and consistency is the key to developing any habit. The ability to build your own regime (rigid or flexible — depends on individual characteristics) is a skill that has been developing for more than one month. Developing a regime can take a lot of effort, time, and nerve cells, but all of this will pay off with interest because people who work according to a clear regime are always head and shoulders ahead of those who take on the task with creative swoops.

Do with passion.

A habit that leads to happiness. It is long-term, and its essence lies in the fact that you should constantly look for those directions and tasks that you do with passion and pleasure. If you develop your career and hobbies in the direction that ignites you with passion, then you will work with pleasure and excitement. With this approach, it is much easier and more enjoyable to improve and learn.

Once you’ve mastered these ten habits, you can transform your life. Or you can only adopt a few of them if they fit into your own productivity system. There are no strict rules here because the ZTD system is about awareness, comfort, and harmony.